What is the SUPPORT Project?

SUPPORT – Supported Employment for Reducing Long-Term Unemployment among Persons with Disabilities is a European project funded by the European Union whose main objective is to reduce long-term unemployment among persons with disabilities, with particular focus on people with intellectual disabilities and other situations of social vulnerability.

The project promotes a shift in labour inclusion policies, prioritising direct access to the open labour market through personalised support, instead of traditional models based on long pre-employment training processes.

A person-centred and innovative model.

The SUPPORT Project is based on the principles of Supported Employment and Supported Learning. This approach enables individuals to access a real job position from the outset, while receiving continuous support from specialised professionals (job coaches).

The process includes a progressive adaptation of the job and the working environment, fostering job stability and continuous skills development. Each participant has an individual professional development plan, a dynamic tool designed to guide competence improvement, job retention and career growth opportunities.

Networking and European cooperation.

SUPPORT is implemented through a European consortium of 16 organisations from 10 countries, including disability organisations, employment inclusion entities, European platforms and leading foundations.

This transnational dimension allows the exchange of good practices, the creation of transferable knowledge and the expansion of the project’s impact beyond the local level. In addition, the project promotes active collaboration between companies, public employment services, service providers and social organisations, building strong territorial networks that support sustainable labour inclusion.

Key actions and employer awareness.

The main activities of the SUPPORT Project include:

• Identification and support of persons with disabilities experiencing long-term unemployment.

• Training of specialised professionals and replication of knowledge at national level.

• Awareness-raising and direct engagement with companies and human resources departments.

• Development of training materials, accessible digital resources and practical guides for employers.

• Participation in European events and formulation of policy recommendations.

Expected impact.

SUPPORT aims to significantly improve access to employment, job retention and employment quality for persons with disabilities, while contributing to the creation of more diverse, inclusive and socially responsible workplaces.

The project also seeks to influence public employment policies, strengthen recognition of supported employment as an effective model, and leave behind tools, methodologies and cooperation networks that remain beyond the project’s duration.

A commitment to real labour inclusion.

Ultimately, SUPPORT is an action-oriented project focused on social transformation, demonstrating that labour inclusion of persons with disabilities is achievable when people are placed at the centre and appropriate support is provided from the very beginning.

To download the full summary of the SUPPORT Project, click here: SUPPORT PROJECT SUMMARY